Eastern Coral Snake
(Micrurus fulvius)
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Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) |
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Color Photograph © by and courtesy of Kenneth L. Krysko (Florida Museum of Natural History)
Mexican Distribution not Shown |
Micruroides euryxanthus This species is limited to southern Arizona. It is a lighter and brighter species than the Eastern Coral Snake. The red bands typically lack black spots.
Lampropeltis triangulum The black bands of the Milk Snake are narrow, not wide, and the snout is red, not black.
Cemophora coccinea The Scarlet Snake has narrow, not wide, black bands. The snout is red, not black.
Micrurus fulvius These two species have ranges that abut, but do not overlap. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) Identification: Snake 22 to 46 inches in length. Body narrow and completely circled with wide black and red rings. Yellow rings also present, but narrow. Head completely black from the snout to the back of the eyes. Snout blunt. Red rings usually (but not always) spotted with black. Black spots fusing into a pair of spots on the dorsum of the body and a single spot on the belly. Scales smooth, shiny. Anal plate divided. Geographical Variation: None. Range (see map on left): This species occurs from the coastal regions of North Carolina southward throughout Florida and westward eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Habitat: The Eastern Coral Snake is found in densely vegetated areas in hardwood or pine forest, usually near streams or ponds. Food: Small snakes and lizards. Behavior: Poisonous. Do not handle.The Eastern Coral Snake is usually found under rotting logs or piles of leaves, although it is sometimes seen moving around during the morning or later afternoon. The species is not aggressive, but has a deadly bite if you are so unwise as to provoke it. Reproduction: The clutch consists of 3 to 12 eggs. The eggs are laid in June and hatch in September.
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Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)
Similar Species: Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea) Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) |
Similar Species:
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